Why the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card Is Well Worth the Annual Fee

Earning cash-back rewards from your credit card can be a powerful way to reduce your daily expenses. The American Express Blue Cash Preferred^® Card earns cash-back — with an industry-leading rate on everyday purchases.

Plus, with the enhanced $120 Disney Streaming Credit, you can earn up to $10 back per month as a statement credit when you use your enrolled Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card to purchase a subscription on DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites, ​now with no minimum purchase ​requirement. Subscription is subject to auto-renewal. ​ 

Despite the ongoing annual fee — $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (rates & fees), we’ll demonstrate the potential value of the card’s rewards and benefits.

1. Generous Welcome Offer

Eligible new applicants of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card can earn a generous welcome bonus offer:

• You may be eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.

Not only that, but if a low APR is also important to you, new cardmembers can get a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR, 19.49%-28.49% (rates & fees).

2. $0 Intro Annual Fee for the First Year

The annual fee structure allows eligible prospective cardholders to evaluate the card’s value before making a lasting commitment: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (rates & fees).

However, as you’ll see below, the cash-back potential you can earn yearly and an easy-to-use Disney Streaming Credit provide tremendous value for cardholders.

3. Earning and Redeeming Cash-Back Rewards

The rewards potential of the card is enormous because the card’s bonus categories span some of the most popular household expenses.

With the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card, you earn 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash-back at U.S. gas station and on transit purchases, and 1% cash-back on all other eligible purchases.

Earning 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets up to the $6,000 limit breaks down to $500 per month, maximizing rewards at stores like Trader Joe’s or Kroger. Just note that this earning category excludes warehouse clubs such as Costco and Sam’s Club, as well as big-box retailers like Walmart and Target.

Still, it’s easy for many households to maximize the full $360 annual cash-back potential from U.S. supermarket spending alone. Factor in the 6% back on more than 30 U.S. streaming subscriptions and 3% back on U.S. gas stations and transit, with no spending caps in any of those categories, and the card’s total cash-back earnings can quickly climb well beyond the annual fee.

Redeeming cash-back with the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card is straightforward and geared toward reducing those everyday expenses. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout — all with no minimum redemption amount.

4. Enhanced Annual Disney Streaming Credit (Up to $120 in Value)

American Express has given the Disney Streaming Credit a sweet upgrade. The monthly credit has increased from up to $7 back to up to $10 back, boosting the total potential value to up to $120 back per year.

You earn up to $10 back monthly as a statement credit on eligible streaming subscriptions (including bundle subscriptions) to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Upon enrollment, you earn the up to $10 monthly statement credit on any version of a Disney+ subscription, whether it’s the basic ad-supported plan or a bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+.

No matter your setup, you’re getting consistent value back every month. Don’t forget you’re also earning 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions purchased with your Card in addition to this statement credit benefit every month.

5. Apply Without Credit Score Impact

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card strikes an ideal balance between valuable rewards and practical everyday perks. And you can find out if you’re approved without a credit score impact thanks to Amex’s Apply With Confidence feature.

SPECIAL OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express

This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.

As High As $300 Cash Back. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

As High As $300

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

APR

19.49%-28.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express is a stellar cash-back credit card for those looking to maximize every purchase they make.

With bonus categories like U.S. supermarkets, select U.S. streaming services, U.S. gas stations, and transit purchases, this card rewards you for the items you spend the most on in a big way! For those looking to earn up to 6% cash-back on their purchases, this could be the card for you!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year)
• 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
• 3% cash-back on U.S. gas stations and transit (including rideshares, parking, etc.)

Cons

• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee (rates and fees)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $300 cash back* after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $3,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.
• Plan It^®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don’t have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express^® App to see your plan options. Plus, you’ll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
• Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
• Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred^® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49%-28.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Rewards Center

Redeem cash-back through your American Express account

If you’re approved and open the new account, a hard inquiry may follow and could affect your score. But if you decide not to move forward, there’s no harm done, because the initial check is a soft pull. It’s a risk-free way to see where you stand before committing.

Final Thoughts

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card earns valuable Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as statement credits, helping you reduce your monthly balance and keep more money in your pocket. With its generous cash-back rates and enhanced Disney Streaming Credit, it’s easy to unlock hundreds of dollars in annual value on everyday purchases you’re already making.

Those who want more than cash-back can find every American Express card compared in one place.